We have a beautiful community of regular “alumni” cuddlers and new people are coming in all the time. It’s a vibrant expanding group that is bonded, welcoming, inclusive and extremely supportive of healthy expressed boundaries.

We meet about twice a month, in the Rogers Park area. Occasionally we mix it up with “Alumni-Only” events or female identified only events (that may include babies 2 and under).

We have a “no one turned away for lack of funds” policy. If money is your only obstacle…ask for what you want, offer what you can give. We are open to trades and ways that you can contribute other than money.

Whether you’re married, single, straight, gay, mono, poly, etc., wanting to make more friends and community, want to learn and practice better communication skills, looking for an alternative to the typical dating scene, or just don’t get enough healthy touch in your life you’ll be glad you checked us out!!! Ages at our events range from 20′s to 70′s; the average size is about 20-30 people.

My first Cuddle Party was an eye opening experience! It reached a part of me I hadn’t been able to get to before in a way that was supportive and nurturing. I had to get certified, keep doing it and invite others to do it with me. Before long I discovered that the best friends I had in my life I had met through Cuddle Party. I realized that when I am in a space in which we are all being authentic friendship happens that we can trust because they know the real me and I know the real them! Because of this my focus is on the courage and clarity it takes to give an honest yes and no and to communicate when our mind changes. Improving that skill has elevated my life! It allows me to be truly close to myself, to others, and to my life.

Cuddle Party changed my life. I discovered it when I was fresh out of college and lonely. Most of my college friends lived far away and I had lost touch with a majority of my high school friends. As a double major in Music and Philosophy, I had no career path pre-determined by my majors, which made me feel anxious and lost. Browsing Meetup.com led me to discover Cuddle Party, and when I walked into my first party, I had no idea how much of an impact it would have on my life. Now, I am living a dream that I never realized that I had by doing work as a facilitator.

In American society, there seems to be a black and white understanding of touch. Either you’re not touching someone, or you’re touching them sexually, and there’s very little wiggle room for all of the possibilities for platonic, non-sexual touch. As someone whose primary love language is touch, Cuddle Party helped me better define those grey areas for myself. To me, Cuddle Party makes a powerful statement: touch CAN be non-sexual and it doesn’t have to carry the expectation of sex!

For as long as I can remember I’ve loved to cuddle. I believe consensual non-sexual touch is profoundly powerful and essential to a happy life. Oxytocin, the hormone produced when humans touch, can decrease stress, boost the immune system, crystallize memories, and fight insomnia. Since becoming a certified Cuddle Party Facilitator I have dedicated part of my life to bringing touch to those who need it, through good communication and positively established boundaries. I also passionately provide my undivided attention with unconditional love and acceptance. I invite all my participants to share anything with me in a completely judgement-free, confidential environment.